Sep 22, 2009

Budget Beauty Tips

Petroleum Jelly: The New Best Friend You've Probably Always Had

Sephora blogger Jenny Muller (hmm someone has the best job ever) wrote a post a while back on The Lemon Drop that I found to be incredibly helpful. She discusses the merits and multi-faceted benefits of the one and only…Vaseline! Petroleum Jelly is an incredible mixture of mineral oils and waxes that when blended together create the concotion we know and love. The melting point is just above body temperature so it literally melts into your skin. Some people use it for absolutely everything (especially protecting skin against the elements) and even as a daily moisturizer. Not sure how I feel about that but this stuff IS a mini-miracle worker and crisis averter.

Grab a jar of petroleum jelly and try these 15 tricks:

1. Coat your cuticles in Vaseline a few times daily to soften them up and prevent jagged nails.

2. Before you head outdoors, rub a little on your cheeks to prevent chapped skin. *

3. Lengthen the life of your lotion by mixing it with a little Vaseline.

4. Fake a dewy glow by dabbing it on your cheekbones and brow bones.

5. Super dry skin? Rub on a light layer of petroleum jelly.

6. Four words: Best lip gloss ever.

7. DIY paraffin treatment: Slather Vaseline on your hands and feet, then wrap them up in a hot towel (nuke it in the microwave first) for 5 minutes.

8. Love that trick? Try the overnight version: Cover your feet in Vaseline, pull on some socks, and treat your tootsies to some beauty rest.

9. Rub a little on your lashes for ultra-shiny fringe.

10. Tame unruly brows (and give them a super-shiny sheen).

11. Make a cream liner or blush out of any powdered beauty product: Smear a swatch of powder on the back of your hand, then rub in a small (small!) amount of Vaseline. Voila!

12. Instant smoky eye: Apply a little Vaseline over black eyeliner, then lightly smear it for a messy, smoky look.

13. A little petroleum jelly around your hairline keeps hair dye from staining your skin.

14. Fight frizz and hide split ends by rubbing a little Vaseline into the tips of your hair and around your part.

15. Believe it: Vaseline can remove even the toughest waterproof mascara and no-budge eyeliner. Smear some on your lids, then use a clean, dry towel to wipe the day off.

* Do note that you should test out Vaseline on your skin several times before applying it directly on
your face as a moisturizer. For some people, it does make them break out while for others it has no affect.


At $2.29 a jar you really can't go wrong with this!

To read the full post click here: http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/03/16/the-vaseline-factor-how-to-get-pretty-for-pennies/

Thanks Jenny-PS I sweat your JOB!

Sep 21, 2009

Bright Eye Beauty


Your eyes say it all. By keeping your peepers bright and alert you'll be able to add on any sexy, alluring look of your choosing.

No matter how you glam up your eyes-whether it be a smoky eye complete with tons of smudgey black liner or an au natural palette of earthy neutral shadows the real key to achieving a complete look is by sporting a pair of healthy looking eyes. No matter how much glittery goodness you sprinkle on your lids, nothing screams tired, hungover or harboring a cold more than a pair of red, puffy eyes. If you feel like you’re a tissue box away from a full on allergy attack, chances are you look like you are too. That’s not so hot…or conducive with maintaining a smoldering aloof stare while out at your fav. hot spot –checking out the man meat. It doesn’t seem to matter what the reason is for your watery aggravated eyes because you somehow always end up looking like the needy, high maintenance chick rather than the sophisticated, chic lady who just happens to look like she’s crying because of allergies. Fear not! No matter what the reason is- you, your eyes and as a result your whole face can be saved by a few simple solutions.

In order to get the whites of your eyes looking bright, alert and well…white, use eye drops to get rid of redness and alleviate the itchy sensation that makes rubbing your eyes feel so good and tempting.

Try Visine Totality Multi-Symptom Relief ($5.99, drugstore.com). Use 1-2 drops up to 4 times a day and notice how much less dry, itchy and aggravated your eyes feel. These drops are also ideal to use before getting ready to go out for the evening. Your makeup will pop when painted against a white contrasting backdrop otherwise known as the sclera. This new solution (compared to the company’s older original formula) does an effective job of protecting your eyes against dust and irritants all day long.

To depuff the eyes and reduce dark circles try Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller ($13, Drugstores). The slender green tube contains caffeine and Vitamin B5 to works its magic. Furthermore the rolling ball gently massages the skin and feels moisturizing and cooling on the skin. It’s great to use under your eye makeup and feels light and hydrating! It’ll feel like you’re using chilled caffeinated tea bags without the time and effort.









To remove makeup and sooth the eyes, try Visine Total Eye Soothing Wipes ($6.99, Walgreens). They feels soft and gentle and are a great alternative to rubbing your eyes. Experts say that rubbing your eyes can wrinkle the sensitive skin around and more importantly can actually scratch your retina. Using the wipes on your eyes when they get super itchy will alleviate the itchy sensation and calm down the redness. If the alternative is rubbing them, this tub is a must-have.

Sep 3, 2009

Lip Service: Sexy Shades for Every Skin Tone

Let your kissable shade do all the talking. A vibrant lip shade lights up your whole face and brings warmth to your skin. In fact, in these hard economic times, women are turning to their beloved and newly acquired lip shades to boost their moods and succeed in looking glamorous and beautiful without having to splurge on a new pair of Jimmy Choos. So basically purchasing a few new lipsticks and glosses is a way for you to save money this season! Who would have thought!?

Although Summer is unofficially over you can still always rock bright summery shades like juicy watermelons, raspberries, plums, cherries and more! So let’s find the lip shade that's going to make your skin sparkle.

New York-based celebrity makeup artist, Beau Nelson (whose worked with Brooke Shields, Iman and Marcia Cross to name a few) says "A great rule of thumb about finding a great everyday lipstick is to find a "Your Lips But Better" (YLBB) shade, which is something that closely matches the natural shade of your lips but in a slightly deeper tone.". If you're in the mood for something a little saucier to glam up your outfit you'll need a major pop of color. In fact the right shade for you might not look like your lips but will definitely compliment the color wheel you’re most accustomed to.

FAIR SKIN (Think Cinderella, Belle, Ariel and Snow White)

Nelson says fair skin looks great in bright colors, pastels and neutrals in pinkie shades. Peach based colors look vibrant on redheads while brunettes and blonds work pink based shades best. Also look into shades in gold, coral and mauve.

Emily Mullins, a 26-year-old Boston-based Blond, loves peachy pinks like Maybelline's VolumeXLSeduction lipgloss in Born With It (Shade 105) for an everyday look. "It plumps my lips yet gives me a natural glossy look", she says. For her evening look she leans towards plum shades like Bare Escentuals's Lipcolor in Spiced Raisin ($15, Sephora). The formula uses natural oils (like jojoba) and waxes to create a long lasting, moisturizing color.


For redheads look for lip shines that enhance your complexion and hair color. Try MAC LipGlass in C-Thru, a soft peach-beige with shimmer. Crimson-haired Anne Mulligan (a North Carolina native with fair skin) loves how natural the color looks on. Her go-to going out shade is MAC LipGelee in Jellybabe (both $14, maccosmetics.com). The thick gloss is a beautiful rose color that delivers high shine but is "fabulously smooth and not sticky at all".

Other recommendations include Stila's Lip Glaze ($22, Sephora) in Brown Sugar for fair skin and Vanilla for medium skin. Both shades are nudes with a golden shimmery tint (Brown Sugar) and pearly iridescent gloss (Vanilla). Or try a beautiful mauve shade like Clinique Lipstick in A Different Grape ($14, Department Stores)

Stila Lip Glaze

$22.00 by Stila at Sephora

Different Lipstick

$14.00 at Clinique

Red is also stunning on fair skin. Nelson says to find a bright red with blue undertones rather than orange. If you're going for high drama try a neutral full powered scarlet like Beaute Cosmetics Weightless Lip Crème in Masochist ($26, beaute-cosmetics.com), a shade from Nelson's own line that he uses on Dita Von Teese-who might even beat Gwen Stefani in the 'who can wear red lipstick and look eternally glamorous without ever overdoing it' category.

If you're more a medium-fair than fair (e.g. when you're tan or if you have red undertones) look for rosy or spiced neutrals. Try Nars Lip Gloss in Chelsea Girls) or Chihuahua (both $24, Sephora)–the former is a subtle nude beige and latter a glossy guava. Or try Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon in Honeysuckle and Pink Raspberry-creamy textured neutrals. Nelson says Bobbi Brown has a stunning array of neutral YLBB shades. Rachel Quintner, a DC based blond recommends in Praline ($22, Sephora). The dual lip liner and color revives lips using caffeine.



Smashbox Doubletake Lip Color

$22.00 by Smashbox at Sephora



MEDIUM DARK/OLIVE-TONED SKIN (Think Mulan and Princess Jasmine)

This is considered the most versatile of skin shades and can pull off most colors. Medium skin or skin with olive tones looks great in neutral nudes, beigey browns and mid-tone plums says Nelson. While darker shades can wear deep purple, pink, red and brown shades.

My all time favorite lip pick is a cherry-red tinted balm stick by Labello ($8.95, amazon.com). I discovered it in Italy and have been ordering online ever since. I'm addicted to this moisturizing lip treatment. The tint looks perfect on my lips and leaves a deep red stain that somehow never looks clowney. If you're looking for a subtle color try Clinique’s A Blushing Nude, the color is a soft rose that makes you look romantic and flushed. An editor-favorite that’s reached iconic status is the brand's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey (both $14, department stores). The sheer berry color is universally flattering and glides on leaving a just-bitten look. I love how bright and punchy L'Oreal Colour Juice Gloss in Cherry On Top is ($8.49 CVS). I layer it over Lipstick Queen's Oxymoron in Minor Crisis ($20, thebeautymark.com) and revel at how pretty it looks. I also love Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Cherries in the Glow ($7.99, Walgreens). A cranberry hue (similar to the shade Freida Pinto has been sporting) that’s not sticky. If you're feeling bold, try Johanna Thomas's favorite, Dior Addict Gloss in Fuchsia Poplin ($25.50, Nordstroms). If you're a pale-medium or have strong yellow undertones try mauve based shines like M.A.C. LipGlass in Pop Mode ($14, maccosmetics.com), or Chanel Glossimer in Imaginaire ($24.50, Saks Fifth Avenue). Embrace the color wheel!

Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick, .14 oz

Clinique Almost Lipstick, .07 oz

$14.00 by Clinique at Macy's

Clinique Almost Lipstick, .07 oz

$14.00 by Clinique at Macy's



Lipstick Queen Oxymoron Matte Lip Gloss - Minor Crisis

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, Cherries in the Glow

$7.99 by Revlon at Walgreens

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect

$25.50 by Christian Dior at Nordstrom

Tinted Lipglass

$14.00 at M·A·C


Chanel Glossimer

$24.50 by Chanel at Saks Fifth Avenue

When wearing red lipstick keep the rest of your makeup minimal, it'll look classic in 50's Mad Men kinda way. I love Julie Hewett's Noir Reds ($23, thebeautymark.com). A collection inspired by Pearl Harbor, the film she worked on in which she created a variety of vintage-looking ruby lips. Belle Noir has an orange base which looks amazing against tan skin and Film Noir is a sheer blackberry that can look dark and sexy or flushed and lightly stained depending on how you apply it.

DARK SKIN (Think Pocahontas and Princess Tiana from the upcoming Disney feature The Princess and the Frog)

If you've got dark skin or have deep red undertones, you want to find shades with rich pigments. While your skin can pull off a variety of shades as well, deep plums, burgundies, browns, bronze and warm brick tones compliment your color best.

According to the editors of Instyle, Lancome Lipstick in Brick House ($25, lancome-usa.com) is the perfect balance between cherry and chocolate, ideal for darker skin. They also recommend a mauve-magenta mixture like Chanel Lipgloss in Bubble Plum ($27, uma.chanel.com) Or embrace the grape with MAC Lipstick in Diva ($14 department stores)-high wattage color in a reddish-burgundy. I also love CO Bigelow Lip Mentha Gloss in Violet Mint ($7.50 CO Bigelow). It feels tingly and fresh on your lips and adds just the right amount of color to look flirty and pulled together. Or if you're feeling kinda rustic try Lipstick Queen Saint in Rust. It's a gold flecked copper that looks dramatic without adding heavy matte layers.

Color Fever Lipstick

$25.00 at Lancome



Lipstick Queen Rust Saint



Finding your perfect lip shade can be a daunting task. However, once you know what looks good on you, you'll be pleased as punch (a shade which incidentally looks great on most people) by what an instant glamour-maker you'll have to slick over your lips.